IT’S TIME TO TAKE SERIOUS ACTION ON TAX HAVENS

OTTAWA – Today, the NDP’s Quebec caucus is launching a campaign to take serious action on tax havens, a problem that increases inequality and hurts our economy. In 2016, the richest members of our society hid no less than $272 billion in tax havens. In the coming months, the NDP’s Quebec caucus will work with Canadians and experts from civil society to find concrete solutions to the injustice faced by workers and Canadian families.

“The KPMG affair and the revelations brought to light by the Enquête television program really undermined public confidence in our institutions. While thousands of people in our region are struggling to get 3 meals a day, it is not normal to see the government not trying to stop this scourge,” says Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Salaberry—Suroit). “One of the goals of this campaign is to find real solutions to the tax haven problem.”

Just a few weeks ago, the Liberals supported an NDP motion to tackle tax havens, tighten the rules for shell corporations, and end the current penalty-free amnesty deals for individuals suspected of tax evasion. Unfortunately, Budget 2017 did not provide any concrete strategy to tackle tax havens.

“Our economy should benefit everyone, not just the few at the top”, said Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie), the NDP critic for Finance. “The Liberals had a chance to develop a real strategy to take serious action on tax havens, but they missed that chance with their budget.”